Thai security forces have confirmed progress in the investigation into a series of coordinated bombings in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket, identifying the attacks as the work of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a long-active insurgent group in Thailand’s Deep South.
On June 30, 2025, at a press briefing held at the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command in Pattani province, Colonel Kiattisak Neewong, spokesperson for ISOC Region 4, detailed the latest developments. Two suspects, identified as Mr. Muhama Wadeh and Mr. Sulaiman Kasa, both from Pattani, were apprehended by Phangnga provincial police near the provincial hall with improvised explosive devices in their possession.
Following the arrest, the pair were transferred to Region 9 police for further interrogation and investigation. Authorities found that the explosive devices recovered closely matched those previously used in past insurgent attacks in Thailand’s southern border provinces, confirming similarities in components and circuit designs.
According to ISOC, the BRN group had crafted and transported small-scale bombs via both major and minor transport routes, using individuals with clean records to avoid detection. Further questioning revealed that the suspects had traveled across the border multiple times between December 2024 and April 2025 to coordinate with BRN commanders and receive operational orders.
Investigators identified a total of 14 accomplices involved in logistics and support roles. These include individuals responsible for vehicle procurement in Bangkok, delivery personnel, and drivers tasked with transporting attackers. In total, 11 separate bombing locations were uncovered, with 15 explosive devices involved. The incidents occurred across Krabi (4 sites, 5 devices), Phangnga (1 site, 1 device), and Phuket (6 sites, 6 devices), with one additional device seized during the arrests. All devices have since been defused.
To date, five individuals have been arrested, including the two suspected perpetrators and three supporters. Authorities believe the attacks were meant to apply political pressure on the Thai government and force progress in stalled peace talks, rather than to inflict mass casualties. The devices were small, with limited blast impact and no lethal components, and were placed in symbolic or high-visibility areas such as airports and provincial government offices, including the governor’s residence in Phangnga.
ISOC officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity by calling the Region 4 command centre at 061-173-2999 or the 24-hour ISOC Region 4 hotline at 1341. The public is also reminded that assisting insurgents—through hiding, transporting, or supplying them—carries legal penalties under Section 189 of the Penal Code, with prison terms of up to two years and/or fines of up to 40,000 baht.
